Art in Public Spaces programme launched for Gozo and Malta

The ‘Art in Public Spaces’ programme has been launched by Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Ian Borg and Minister for Justice, Culture and Local Government Owen Bonnici.

The programme will be financed by the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects with the support of Spazju Kreattiv.

Those interested artists in Gozo can attend an informative meeting on Tuesday, the 19th of February at 10:30am at the Ministry for Gozo in Victoria, Gozo

Minister Borg said that as a result of this programme, no less than 11 works of art are being implemented in 6 different localities in our country.

He explained how ‘Art in Public Spaces’ provides a public platform for artists to display their vision while giving them an opportunity to create site-specific works according to the site of their choice; work which creates a reference point for that site and which alters and strengthens the identity of the site and of the locality.

Minister for Justice, Culture and Local Government Owen Bonnici highlighted the necessity of such projects. This programme is providing our artists with another way to express themselves through art, to be appreciated by numerous members of the public.”

Minister Borg also made reference to the first phase of the ‘Art in Public Spaces’ programme, which had begun in 2016.

“Thanks to the first phase of the programme, today we have the Mario Sammut sculpture named ‘Ras il-Huta’ located on the Marsascala promenade, Mary Portelli’s public staircase called ‘Reflections and Connections’ in Ghajnsielem, and Charles Sammut’s 6 metal figures placed in 6 different sites in Dingli with the aim of displaying traditional Maltese games called ‘Games from my Childhood’.”

He said that “work is currently underway on two other projects – ‘Dghajsa tar-Rih’ by Matthew Pandolfino which will be implemented in Cospicua and ‘Hagarna’ by Victor Agius which will be placed near Ggantija in Xaghra, Gozo. Later this year, Adrian Abela’s ‘Misrah il-Kliem Mistur’ is expected to be implemented in Ghar Lapsi, limits of Siggiewi.”

Minister Borg said, “I look forward to see the submissions and to continue witnessing improvements in the aesthetic quality of our communities, in public spaces to be enjoyed by residents and families, and finally an improvement in the quality of life of people which is our final goal.”

“I encourage artists to apply and the public to actively enjoy these works both after completion and during implementation. The sense of community is strong in our country and nothing satisfies me more than when I witness different communities benefitting from investment and witnessing an active improvement in their quality of life and standard of living,” concluded Minister Borg.

Rupert Cefai, Fondazzjoni Kreattività’s Chairman, said “Spazju Kreattiv’s involvement in this initiative stems from our remit to cultivate cultural exchange by being a catalyst for all forms of contemporary expression. In fact, by providing artists with the means to develop and present their work in communities we are also cultivating platforms for encounters and exchanges through the arts for people from all walks of life.”

He explained that with regard to this programme, a maximum of six projects by six different artists or six different groups of artists will be selected out of the applicants.

Each project is eligible for a maximum allocation of €30,000 inclusive of VAT and which covers a great variety of costs artists might face with regard to the project.

Those interested artists in Malta can attend a meeting on Wednesday, the 20th of February at 6:00pm at Project House, Beltissebh in Floriana. The deadline for submissions is Friday, the 12th of April, at 4:00pm.